Devon Wildlife Trust is urging people not to light camp fires in the countryside, warning that the long dry spell means flames can spread very quickly.

Yesterday morning (Tuesday, April 20) the remains of a fire were found still smouldering at the Trust's Bystock nature reserve, and had to be extinguished by a nature reserve officer.

Whoever started the fire had cut down surrounding trees to make it, and other trees were found to be partially cut or damaged.

Earlier this month a wildfire at the Bovey Healthfield nature reserve in Teignbridge damaged just under an acre of heathland before being put out by the fire brigade.

Steve Hussey from the Devon Wildlife Trust said: "After a very dry series of weeks, our countryside is parched and very susceptible to wild fires. This is especially true for local heathlands, grasslands and moorlands.

"The scene that we discovered at our Bystock nature reserve is very concerning. A barbecue or camp fire like this could have easily begun a much larger wildfire, causing risk to the surrounding countryside, to people and to wildlife.

"It was a reckless act by people who either didn't know or didn't care about the potential of their thoughtless actions.

"We ask all visitors to our nature reserves and the wider countryside to be wildfire aware. Don't discard lighted cigarettes and don't have barbecues or camp fires unless they are in officially designated areas using the equipment provided."

A campfire has also damaged grassland in Dawlish, at the Seven Sisters beauty spot. Read more here